Low water forces marinas in Jefferson, St. Lawrence counties to cut season short

HAMMOND, N.Y. (AP) — The boating season is being cut short for some northern New York marinas because of rapidly dropping water levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

Marina owners in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties tell the Watertown Daily Times that the lower water levels are forcing boaters to pull their watercraft out earlier than usual to avoid damage to their vessels.

The boating season started with high water levels on Lake Ontario, but after heavy rainfall in the spring, the International St. Lawrence River Board of Control maximized the outflow at a dam in Massena to prevent flooding downstream. The newspaper also reports that the water supply to the lake decreased dramatically through the summer.

Marina owners say water levels should be kept at summer levels until late September to allow them to extend their business season.